Papal transition

The Latest

Thousands depart St. Peter's Square after praying the Holy Rosary for Pope Francis, Monday, April 21, 2025

CNA explains: ‘Sede vacante’ and ‘interregnum’ — what do they mean? 

Apr 23, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

A highly regulated process has now begun that will see Pope Francis’ earthly body laid to rest and a conclave... Read more

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From sede vacante to conclave: Key terms to know at the start of a papal transition

Apr 22, 2025

By Matthew Bunson

Here are some of the key words and phrases that will be used throughout the interregnum, especially the conclave to... Read more

Pope Francis (1936–2025), who led the Catholic Church from 2013 to 2025, emphasized God’s infinite mercy throughout his pontificate.

Pope Francis: The pope of the peripheries who shook up the Church

Apr 21, 2025

By CNA Staff

The first Latin American and Jesuit pope was determined to lead a more welcoming, pastoral, and merciful Church outward to... Read more

Latest news

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the House Committee on Appropriations at the U.S. Capitol on June 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

U.S. attorney general confirms investigation into ‘DC Five’ aborted babies

The work of Association Meter, an organization that combats online pedophilia, was featured on “EWTN Pro-Life Weekly.”

International monitoring organization reports pedophilic videos online have tripled

Mass at a cathedral in Nagasaki, Japan, after the U.S. dropped a nuclear weapon on the city in August of 1945. The Japanese bishops asked for international nuclear disarmament in a June 20, 2025, letter.

Japan bishops on nuclear bombs: ‘This tragedy must not be repeated’

The pontiff warned of the risk of a superficial spiritual life “in an age of hyperconnectivity” in which it becomes increasingly “difficult to experience silence and solitude,” emphasizing that without an encounter with God, “we cannot even truly know ourselves.”

Pope Leo XIV invites seminarians to bear witness to ‘tenderness’ and ‘mercy’ of Christ

Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta.

Atlanta hospital ensures Catholic identity through new sponsorship agreement

The scene outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., after the court released its decision in the Dobbs abortion case on June 24, 2022.

Catholic bishops on Dobbs anniversary: ‘The battle for life is far from over’

Over 3,000 Catholics filled the streets of Portland, Oregon, on Sunday, June 22, 2025, for a major Eucharistic procession led by Archbishop Alexander Sample.

Over 3,000 Catholics fill Portland, Oregon, streets for Eucharistic procession

Pope Leo XIV waves to those gathered for Mass on the solemnity of Corpus Christi on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Rome.

Pope Leo XIV ‘deeply saddened’ by Islamist attack on a church in Damascus

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, in an interview with ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner, emphasized that the Catholic Church in the Holy Land must remain “open”: “The Church must remain open and accessible to all. This is absolutely essential. Everyone must be able to reach us, we must be a point of connection for everyone.”

Cardinal Pizzaballa in the Holy Land: ‘The Church must be a point of connection for everyone’

Seminarian Thomas Hammen smiles in view of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Tuesday. June 24, 2025.

Meet the future of the Church: Seminarians gather in Rome for jubilee

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Jun 24
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist
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